Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong detained by police

Hong Kong (AFP) – Hong Kong student pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong was detained by police on Wednesday after an anti-China protest ahead of a visit by President Xi Jinping.

Wong was among around 30 protesters who had staged a three-hour sit-in at a harbourfront statue and were led away into police vans.

Xi’s visit this week marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain and comes at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city.

Protesters had encircled the sculpture of a golden bauhinia flower which became the emblem of Hong Kong in 1997.

The statue was given to the city by China as a present to mark the handover.

Some activists chained themselves to the sculpture while others climbed into its petals.

Police cleared the area and surrounded the statue, leading away protesters one by one.

Most walked but Wong and young legislator Nathan Law lay down and were carried away from the scene.

Before the arrests began, protesters shouted: “Civil disobedience, no fear!” and “Xi Jinping, can you hear us?”

Police had warned them that they were causing a public nuisance and would be arrested if they did not move.

As Wong was carried away to the awaiting vans, he shouted: “Protest on July 1!” — the anniversary of the handover.

His party Demosisto, which is calling for self-determination for Hong Kong, said in a statement that eight of its activists, including Wong and Law, had been arrested.

The final protesters to be removed were inside the golden flower and helped down by firefighters.

– ‘I’m a Hong Konger!’ –

Xi is due to land in Hong Kong on Thursday for a three-day visit to attend anniversary celebrations and swear in the city’s new leader Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is ruled under a “one country, two systems” deal, enshrined in the handover agreement, which allows it rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.